HC Deb 18 February 1957 vol 565 cc28-9
52. Mr. Randall

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of persons in Gateshead in receipt of National Assistance at the most recent date, and twelve months earlier, and what was the average amount of assistance on those dates.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In an area extending a little beyond the county borough of Gateshead, 8,216 weekly Assistance grants were current on 24th January, 1956, and 8,217 on 22nd January, 1957. Information about the average amount of such grants is not available for particular areas.

Mr. Randall

Would the Minister agree that the figures which he has given reveal that there is increased need arising from the cost of living? Ought not the approach to this to be rather in the direction of increasing the basic rate of old-age pensions than in increasing the Assistance rates?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

That is quite another question, but the figures which I have given the hon. Member reveal an increase of one on a total of over 8,000.